Only designated Safely Surrendered Sites can accept physical custody of infants (up to 72 hours old) who are voluntarily surrendered by a parent or other person with legal custody. No questions will be asked and the person who surrenders an infant in accordance with this new law is granted immunity from criminal liability for child abandonment. This person may reclaim the surrendered infant within 14 days.
The following is the protocol for accepting a newborn under the California Safely Surrendered Baby Law:
- Welcome the parent or person surrendering the infant. Do not be judgmental (this is an emotional and difficult time for the person).
- Accept the infant (even if it appears older than 72 hours) and begin to assess for any medical needs.
- Initiate a medical report of the infant. (Fire Stations: Notify Communications Center and arrange for Code 2 ambulance).
- Locate and open the Newborn Safe Surrender Kit. Place a coded, confidential ankle bracelet on the infant and record the code on the face of the Newborn Surrender Kit envelope. Hand the surrendering person the matching coded bracelet and the two inner envelopes. One envelope contains the medical questionnaire with another coded bracelet stapled to it, and the other envelope has resources and rights information for the person surrendering the infant.
- Once on scene, ambulance personnel shall assume custody of the infant and continue to assess and provide for any medical needs of the infant.
- Ambulance personnel shall accompany the infant to the receiving hospital and transfer custody to a designated hospital employee. The receiving hospital will take custody of the infant and make phone notification with Children and Family Services (CFS).
- The requirement for Fire paramedics to accompany the infant is a Fire Agency requirement. Consult your internal Fire Agency policies and procedures.
- Receiving Personnel at Hospitals: Notify CFS by them faxing a copy of the Notes on the face of the surrender kit. The CFS fax number is (925) 608-6894 or (925) 608-6895. (Send completed Notes on face of surrender kit envelope with infant for Child Protective Services’ permanent file.)
For replacement Safely Surrender kits or more information, please contact Family Maternal and Child Health (FMCH) Programs at 925-608-5170.
Thank you for helping us ensure a safe alternative for parents who are unable or unwilling to keep their babies!